Spinal Rod Link Reducer

Abstract

The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator; a first and a second translatable transverse shaft connected to the first and second joints, respectively; and a universal reducer connected to both the first and second translatable transverse shafts, wherein the universal reducer, the shafts and the linkers provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 364,412 filed Feb. 2, 2009 and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 025,761, filed Feb. 2, 2008, and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 080,162 filed Jul. 11, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of bone fixation, and more particularly, to a novel rod link reducer for use during the surgical correction of mild to severe rigid spinal deformities.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH[0003]None.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with pedicle screws. In rigid severe spine deformity with coronal or sagittal decompensation, translation of the spinal column is necessary for restoration of trunk balance as well as deformity correcti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention solves various problems of current spinal fixation systems and the control of the positioning of temporary rods during spinal surgery. The present invention allows the surgeon to stabilize the spine, effectively derotate the spine, safely translate the spine, and when required, easily derotate and translate the spine to treat spinal deformities.

[0012]The present invention also provides a method of correcting a spinal deformity by providing two or more vertebrae, each having one or more pedicle screws interconnected with one or more temporary rods; providing a spinal rod manipulator comprising a spinal rod manipulator shaft connected to a spinal rod manipulator head, wherein the spinal rod manipulator head comprises a first jaw comprising a first upper jaw positioned opposite a first lower jaw to form a first rod coupling aperture, a first threaded bore that extends from the first upper jaw into the first rod coupling aperture, and a first screw that extends through the threaded bore to contact the first rod coupling aperture, a second jaw comprising a second upper jaw positioned opposite a second lower jaw to form a second rod coupling aperture, a second threaded bore that extends from the second upper jaw into the second rod coupling aperture, and a second screw that extends through the second threaded bore to contact the second rod coupling aperture, and a pedicle screw aperture separating the first jaw from the second jaw, wherein the pedicle screw aperture accommodates a pedicle screw, wherein the rod manipulator to be attached to without removal of the first rod or the second rod to provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery; positioning the spinal rod manipulator head on each side of one of the one or more pedicle screws, wherein the pedicle screw is within the pedicle screw aperture; positioning the one of the one or more temporary rods in the first rod coupling aperture and the second rod coupling aperture; and tightening the first screw and the second screw to secure the one of the one or more temporary rods to the first rod coupling aperture and to the second rod coupling aperture.

Problems solved by technology

However, the conventional correction methods, such as posterior correction only or anterior release and posterior instrumentation, are usually unsatisfactory.

However, the anterior-posterior vertebral column resection (VCR) has disadvantages such as long operative time, potential significant blood loss, and risk of intraoperative neurologic impairment due to the spinal column segment instability during the resection and the correction procedure.

However, these techniques have a number of disadvantages: 1) the risk of intraoperative mishaps due to the instability resulting from exchanging the temporary rods may produce spinal cord injury; 2) limitation in deformity correction secondary to a “one-time” correction maneuver utilized using the Suk technique; 3) short segment fixation using the provisional rods since multiple exchanges prevent long rod utilization; and 4) additional surgical time necessary with multiple removal and insertion of the temporary provisional rods.

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